The Midland resident is making a name, and a job, for himself as he takes his craft to workshops around the state.
COOPERSVILLE -- The red duct tape tennis shoes are cool. The black duct tape baseball cap is a little rough. And the multicolored duct tape vest? It's something only a duct tape artist could love.

But never mind how the things William Beacom, 18, makes out of tape look -- or the practicality. CD holders, cell phone cases and ties made of duct tape are fun.

The recent high school graduate conducted a workshop at the Northeast Ottawa District Library on Thursday for 17 aspiring duct tape artists, or at least the curious, who made bookmarks, bug figures and wallets and then moved on to ornate roses within 90 minutes.

"When working with duct tape, one thing you'll learn is it's very frustrating," Beacom started out. "You'll learn patience and practice."